Learn from Italy, take movement order seriously - doctors group
CORONAVIRUS | The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has warned that the healthcare system will become overwhelmed if Covid-19 cases continue to rise rapidly.
Malaysia has seen five continuous days of more than 100 new infections in a single day. The tally as of now is 900 cases.
In a statement today, MMA president N Ganabaskaran pleaded for the public to take the movement control order seriously and stay at home...
CORONAVIRUS | The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has warned that the healthcare system will become overwhelmed if Covid-19 cases continue to rise rapidly.
Malaysia has seen five continuous days of more than 100 new infections in a single day. The tally as of now is 900 cases.
In a statement today, MMA president N Ganabaskaran pleaded for the public to take the movement control order seriously and stay at home.
“Hospitals may not be able to cope if the cases continue to rise at the current rates of increase in cases of Covid-19.
“Adults and the younger generation living with older adults must stay at home and avoid non-essential travel as there is a danger of bringing home infections to older adults who are at higher risk of infection and complications that can even lead to death,” he said.
Ganabaskaran calculated that Malaysia had a finite number of hospitals and facilities - 135 government hospitals, 210 private hospitals, nine special medical institutes, 926 ventilator units, 152 non-invasive ventilator units and 142 ventilators.
Pointing to the case of Italy where the public healthcare system had become extremely strained by 35,713 Covid-19 cases, he again warned the rakyat to stay indoors.
“If Malaysians continue to ignore the order, cases of infections may rise further similar to the situation in Italy,” he said.
As of today, Italy reported 2,978 deaths from the virus. In Malaysia, two have died.
Ganabaskaran also urged the government, the Communications and Multimedia Ministry especially, to better communicate the need to remain indoors in multiple languages and platforms.
The movement control order has banned all social activities, mass gatherings and overseas travel for Malaysians until March 31. Schools and tertiary institutions have also been shut.
Only limited businesses and services are allowed to operate.
Keep up with the latest information on the outbreak in the country with Malaysiakini's free Covid-19 tracker.
